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AXA – “THERION CONFIDENTIAL” – 1999 | Sarajevo, Bosnia

AXA was formed in 1996 by Haris Cizmic and Meldeen Hota. THERION CONFIDENTIAL was AXA’s debut album, released in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1999 (source:WIKI). Recording and performing musicians, per online records were: Haris (author, guitars, keys), Adessa (vocal), Meldeen (Guitar), Sergej (Bass) and Senad (drums). There is also mentioning of Vernes, being a band member at some point, but his role was not clear. Album clearly shows some amazing, but still immature talent, which did not stop the band from receiving several international awards. There are several clear genres noticeable throughout this album – from techno-rock to metal (and back). Soon after releasing this record, AXA moved to the U.S. where this album was re-issued by Orchard in 2002. AXA also released their multimedia disc, featuring audio, video and animation.

AXA – “GOOD GIRL” – 2005 | Ferndale, USA

GOOD GIRL is a transition phase between Sarajevo’s AXA and Detroit’s INGRAY. Sound is more raw, vocals are somewhat rough, with imperfections in obvious search for their new style and the next phase in AXA’s music journey. Guys are finding their signature sound, and the whole thing sounds a bit unfinished – which is the reason the band never officially released this EP until recently. Band members were (per WIKI): Haris (author of songs, guitar, keys), Bret (bass), Adessa (vocals), Mika (Drums). Mika was kept on drums until 2007, when he was let go, (by then Bret was also out) and David was hired, as a permanent drummer. Haris switched to bass and the sound transition was finally complete – which called for a new band name. Haris and Dave made the call and INGRAY was born, with those awesome songs to come, the same ones that made me (and many more hardcore fans) fall in mad love with this band. It’s worth mentioning that there is a very cool Eurhythmics cover (‘Here comes the rain again’) that sounds almost punk-ish on this never before released EP. Enjoy listening!

INGRAY – “AWAY” – 2009 | Detroit, USA

INGRAY was formed by Haris Cizmic and David Dupuie. After AXA got renamed to INGRAY, and the lineup changed once again, their sound became more aggressive, but very eclectic and international. Their prior release (EP Good Girl) was a step close towards their finest record yet – “AWAY” (2009). A collection of great tunes included a few covers as well – Bob Seger’s “East side story” and Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”. There was also a part of the Rolling Stone’s “Painted Black” within their original song “Scarlet”, making an awesome mix of old and new. As a bonus, there is a Zeppelin cover “Immigrant Song”, performed live. All the songs on this album are mature, professionally done and well received within their fan crowd (mostly in Detroit area). I would set apart a few that really hit me, and made me a huge fan: Pressure, Closer Away, Liar, Drifter, and of course, Killing Time (with it’s awesome music video shot by a famous Detroit’s photographer S. Sprague). I hope you will enjoy this album as I was, when I heard it for the first time.

Ingray won several awards, they scored a TV commercial for Ford Fusion (2008) and their music was in the background of an official website intro animation for Chevy Camaro in 2007. They worked with local musicians and producers on TV and film projects.

If you like this small selection, go ahead, check other albums and songs – and purchase something – a single, an EP, an album, or a double release. Cost of those rare and now hard to find albums is high on itunes, amazon and other similar sites – but you can get a whole package – (All of it!) at AXA/INGRAY’s founding member’s page, at a special price of only $49 (and that includes some 11 releases, including a just published INGRAY – LIVE IN DETROIT Album!) You can also get them all separate, and still at a better price than on iTunes.